Antykoagulanty

Antykoagulanty, commonly known as blood thinners, are medications that slow down or prevent the formation of blood clots. They work by interfering with the body's natural clotting process, which is a complex cascade involving various proteins called clotting factors. By inhibiting these factors or their activity, anticoagulants reduce the blood's ability to clot.

There are several types of anticoagulants, broadly categorized into vitamin K antagonists and direct-acting anticoagulants. Vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, work by blocking the action of vitamin K, a crucial component for the synthesis of several clotting factors. Direct-acting anticoagulants target specific clotting factors directly, such as factor Xa or thrombin.

Anticoagulant therapy is prescribed to prevent and treat serious conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, and to reduce the risk of blood clots in individuals with artificial heart valves. While highly effective, anticoagulants also carry a significant risk of bleeding. Therefore, patients on these medications require careful monitoring and regular blood tests to ensure their dosage is within the therapeutic range and to minimize the risk of hemorrhage. Adjustments to diet, particularly vitamin K intake for those on warfarin, and interactions with other medications are also important considerations.